Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela had a season to forget in 2013-14, but this campaign he has been tipped by many to succeed.

Having now completely recovered from a back injury that he suffered last season, the Argentina international, who cost Spursa reported £30 million when he joined them from AS Roma last August, seems to be high on confidence heading into the 2014-15 campaign.

Lamela had a truly bad debut season in the Premier League, as proved by the stats below, although injuries and managerial changes did affect him.

Goals

Goal Assist

Ontarget Scoring Att

Accurate Cross

Dribbles Won

Accurate Through Ball

Successful Final Third Passes

Apps

Mins

Erik Lamela

0

1

2

2

9

0

50

9

326

There were suggestions that Tottenham could be tempted to sell the former River Plate youngster, but it seems that new manager Mauricio Pochettino is set to build the team around his fellow Argentine.

Among the many football observers who have tipped 22-year-old Lamela for a brilliant second season in the English top flight is former Tottenham forward Clive Allen, who believes that this term the Argentine will prove his mettle.

‘Erik is a very talented player’, the 53-year-old told talkSPORT. ‘He’s had time now to acclimatise to life in England, and while fans might not want to hear it, it does take time to adjust and settle after moving to a new country. I experienced that in my career.

‘He’s had his problems with injury as well at his time at Spurs, he hasn’t really played many games, so I think he’ll be like a new signing for the club this season’.

However, Allen, who also featured for Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City and Chelsea during his playing career, believes that it is crucial for Lamela that he remains fit throughout the season.

‘If they can keep Lamela fit, there is no reason why he can’t prove a few people wrong and show fans what they were hoping to see with some good performances’, he said.

Lamela is a genuinely talented and quality footballer, and he proved that during his time with Italian club Roma. A tricky winger with pace and skills, he is going to be a key player in Pochettino’s system.

Subhankar Mondal

A football journalist based in Wakefield, Subhankar Mondal has previously worked for Goal.com International and Skysports.com, and has had his sports articles published in The Guardian and The Observer. He has also been on the BBC in the past and his name once found its way to the pages of the World Soccer magazine. He was recently cited in a major Louis van Gaal biography.